Have you ever wondered which game genres are the most popular among players? Undoubtedly, the multiplayer genre called battle royale stands out in the field of game development. Despite the great popularity, many people still do not know what battle royale genre is. In this article, we would like to tell you more about such games and why they have become quickly popular.
We suggest you start by answering the common question, «what is a battle royale game». Simply speaking, this is a popular genre where a lot of players fight each other in real-time. Users can compete alone or act in a team. The winner is considered to be the player or the team that remains alive last.
Usually, game development companies implement gameplay from shooters. Users must explore the map, find various items, try to survive, and fight with opponents. This is why creating an original battle royale game can be a popular product among players.
The Origins of Battle Royale Games
There are many video game fans who love both shooters and survival ones. Why not combine these two genres to attract more users? Actually, the battle royale genre first got its name thanks to a Japanese novel of the same name in 1999. Survival and shooters are often intertwined in movies, books, and even special game mods.
What Was the First Battle Royale Game?
It's no secret that this genre found its widespread popularity in 2017. However, what was the first battle royale game? If you've ever played Minecraft, then most likely you know about the Hunger Games mod. It's a mode on a game server where players battle each other to survive. The creators of this genre were inspired by the American movie Hunger Games, which was released in 2012.
Some people call DayZ the first battle royale game. Is that really the case? This is a popular game in which users also precede the main goal of surviving among the opponents. Another similar variant that came out in 2015 is H1Z1.
PUBG: The Game That Defined the Genre
The experts believe that the first battle royale game is PlayerUnknown's Battleground (PUBG). The developers introduced this game to the world in 2017. That's when the active growth of this genre as a whole began. Why is it so loved by players around the world?
- This game is cross-platform, so it is available for owners of PCs, consoles and even smartphones.
- Survival and shooting elements are perfectly combined here.
- Users love the huge world that they can explore during the match.
As you may have already realized, the PUBG creators launched the fashion for this genre, making it a major hit in recent years. This game remains in demand among the fans of battle royale genre even nowadays.
Fortnite & The Mainstream Explosion
Many fans often compare PUBG with Fortnite. This game was able to successfully continue the development of the genre and bring new features to it. For example, Epic Games added the ability to build in Fortnite. This has become one of the most memorable features of this game.
This game with battle royale mode appeared in 2018 and, over time broke many records. According to statistics, in 2023, the number of registered users in Fortnite exceeded the mark of 650 million. It sounds impressive, doesn't it?
Core Mechanics of a Battle Royale Game
If you've thought about why games in this genre are so popular, the answer lies in the special mechanics. They have some features and capabilities that set the genre apart from other shooters. We're talking about survival, world exploration, item search, map reduction, and more. Below we want to talk more about the key features of the mechanics of this genre.
Drop & Loot System
In Battle Royale games, you begin with nothing and must scavenge for weapons, armor, and resources. Upon dropping, they head to a massive map that contains loot scattered over many areas. The aim is to find more proficient equipment to help survival chances. Here's what types of drop there usually are:
- Weapons.
- Equipment.
- First aid kit.
- And much more.
The problem is picking a landing spot: High-risk areas tend to have greater loot but are also commonly filled with other players. Players must be quick to act, decide to join another player, or stay put just to get some better loot.
Shrinking Safe Zone
It is no secret that the original battle royale game should definitely have zones. First, you have the opportunity to move around the entire map. The developers add dangerous and safe zones to reduce the time of one match and make the game more interesting. If you are in the red area, you are in a high-risk situation.
As time runs out, the safe zone is regularly narrowed down to bring the players closer together. This way, you and your opponents won't be able to hide to survive constantly. In any case, you will have to meet to determine the winner. PlayerUnknown's Battleground has an excellent implementation of the safe area narrowing feature.
Solo, Duo & Squad Modes
Battle Royale games have a few modes, such as Solo, Duo, and Squad. In Solo mode, players are alone, and every decision and encounter is important. Team modes come in the form of Duo and Squad modes, which introduce a team element and change cooperation and communication to the forefront. Duo mode has players pair up, split the loot, flank opponents, or support each other in combat to strategize in the game. Even more complicated is squad mode, with four players, where the players need to play together and have clear roles.
Evolution of Battle Royale Games
Now you know what is a battle royale game and what were the first representatives of this genre. However, it regularly changes thanks to the new ideas of modern developers. We decided to collect some of the main stages in the evolution of battle royale that you should know about.
Hero-Based Battle Royals
Hero-based Battle Royale Games like Apex Legends brought out a new idea in the genre. It creates heroes with their skills. Unlike the rest of the Battle Royale titles, they feature the option to pick heroes with their roles, abilities, and playstyles, which is unlike the fact that they are equal at the start of the game.
It introduces a level of strategy above the selection of weapons so that combat becomes more of a team function. Apex Legends game focuses on teamwork, communication, and using your hero every bit as well as possible. Special power characters have been added to the gameplay, making it more engaging.
Battle Royale in AAA Franchises
Battle Royale modes have become commonplace in many AAA franchises, bringing FPS games into the general category of Battle Royale games. For example, The Call of Duty: Warzone revolutionized the genre by blending its already solid shooter gameplay mechanics with the thrills of Battle Royale.
For their part, Battlefield 2042 also adopted the Battle Royale format, subsuming the large-scale warfare into a smaller battlefield. The game features the trademark destruction and vehicular combat found in other titles but in a new form within the Battle Royale space.
Party Royale & Non-Shooter Variants
Fall Guys has proven that the genre can veer beyond shooters, and most battle royale games are about combat. Fall Guys blends the concept of shrinking zones and intense competition with weapons replaced by obstacle courses and mini-games. The winner is the last one standing, getting through based on performances in each round. The success of this game proves that the original battle royale game concept can thrive outside of shooters.
The genre's versatility is on display, with Party Royale and non-shooters becoming increasingly popular. Instead, developers are exploring new and fun ways to combine the tension, excitement, and elimination mechanics into games that won’t require violence. The formula works in different types of games, which these alternative approaches brought into a wider audience.
The Competitive & Streaming Impact
Games from this genre have become demanding. So, they have started being used in esports competitions. Yeah, millions of fans are happy to watch their favorite players or teams play in games like PUBG and Fortnite. The prize pools of such tournaments amount to hundreds of thousands of dollars. That's why these are more than just games. This genre is also loved by Influencers who play them on streaming platforms.
The Future of Battle Royale Games
Will the battle royale genre be in demand in the near future? Undoubtedly, games of this genre will not lose their popularity in 2025. Specialists believe that the interest of users in this direction will grow in the next years. Developers regularly introduce new features, mechanics elements and add interesting updates. That is why they renew the interest of old players and attract the attention of new users.
